Road building apparatus



Sept. 13, 1932. J, HELTZEL 1,876,673

ROAD BUILDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 14, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l Clttomwq Sspt. 13, 1932. L E 1,876,673

ROAD BUILDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 14, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 13, 1932. J. N. HELTZEL ROAD BUILDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 14, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 13, 1932 JOHN N. HELTZEL, F WARREN, OHIO ROAD BUILDING APPARATUS Application filed August 14, 1929. Serial No. 385,800.

The present invention relates to concrete road building apparatus, and one object of the invention is the provision of novel means for installing a joint in a concrete road or pavement.

Another object isthe provision of means for installing a lower or bottom jolnt 1n the road or pavement.

A further object is the provlsionof means for conveniently placing longitudlnal reinforcing rods in the concrete.

Another object is for producing tunnels in the road or pavement, in order to reduce the volume of concrete required, and to provlde drainage channels for water underthe slabs.

A further object is the provislon means for sub-grading of novel bed. r With the foregoing and other objectsin view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resldes 1n the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed, it being 5 understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the 1nvent1on.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof. 0 Fig. 8 is a cross section on the l1ne 3-3 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 4: is a longitudinal section on the line 1 1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of a completed.

joint.

Fig. 6 is a cross section of'a brick-surfaced the provision of means the sub-base or roadof still another variation in the construction of the runner.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view depicting another variation wherein the joint strip blade or runner is movable on pedestals.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of still another variation of joint strip supporting and placing means.

Figxlf) is a perspective view illustrating another modification in the joint strip placing or depositing means. I

Fig. 16 is a. perspective view of a modified form of devlce for positioning the joint strip in the plastic concrete.

17 is a cross section to a joint illustrating a joint strip between the sub-base and surface of the road.v

Fig.18'is a cross section of a joint showing the joint strip flush with'the surface of the road.

Fig. 19 is a cross section of a joint showing a joint strip extending from the sub-base to the surface of the road.

Fig. 20 is a cross section of a joint illustrating a division plate having an offset intermediate its upper and lower edges.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view illustrating a further modification in the joint strip depositing means.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing a further variation of joint producing means.

A transverse angle iron or member 1 is provided to move over the sub-base, and carries transversely spaced teeth or rooters 2 to score the sub-grade to the elevation or depth desired. The teeth 2 are adjustable vertically, being provided with vertical slots 3 receiving clamping bolts 4 engaging the member 1.

Arches 5 are provided at the ends ofthe member 1 and have wheels Gmounted therein to move on the side forms or rails 7 between which the road is built. Said arches. 5 have portions 8 overlapping the terminals of the member -1 and provided-with slots 9 receiving clamping bolts 10 secured in the member 1, thereby supporting said member from the wheels, and providing for the extension and contraction of the sub-grader constituting the member 1, teeth 2 and wheel mounted members or arches'5.

Chains 11 or other draft members are connected to the member 1 for pulling same for wardly, and may be connected to a concrete mixer, tractor, or other draft means 12.

A runner or mandrel 13 is trailed from the member 1, the forward terminal of said runner being secured to said member. The runner, as shown, constitutes a T-iron with its flanges 14L adapted to rest on the sub-base and the web 15 extending upwardly.

The runner or mandrel 13 provides means for positioning a strip 16 of paper, fabric, sheet metal or other suitable material in the lower portion of the concrete road, and as shown the strip is used to provide a longitudinal central joint. The strip 16 passes rearwardly from a roll 17 suitably mounted on the forward portion of the runner 13, and a groovedor double wheel 18 is disposed astride the web 15 of the runner to fold the strip 16 or double same transversely over and astride the web 15.

The wheel has its axle connected by links or bars 19 with the axle of the roll 17, to permit thewheel 18 to be raised, said wheel being sufficiently heavy to fold the strip 16 over the web 15. V

The strip 16 is thus doubled on a longitudinal line with its bend or fold uppermost and its edges lowermost, and the runner or mandrel 13 is pulled forwardly while the strip remains embedded in the concrete, this arrangement being similar to that shown in Fig. 9 of application Serial No. 235,977 filed Nov. 26, 1927.

Transversely arched cores 20 are trailed from the member 1 by means ofchains 22 or other flexible elements, for producing tunnels in the road, said cores being suitably spaced at opposite sides of the runner 13.

In building the road, the plastic concrete is poured over the cores 20 and the folded strip 16 on the runner 13. If desired, tunnel liners 22 of stiff paper, fabric, sheet metal, or other suitable material, may be placed on the cores 20 to remain in the tunnels. The plastic concrete is poured on the sub-base to a depth to produce the lower course or layer of the road, and the reinforcing mesh, fabric or rods 23 are then placed on this lower course, after which additional concrete is added to produce the upper course or layer which is finished off in the usual manner.

The apparatus is then drawn forwardly for a distance slightly less than the length of the cores 20, so that the rear enus of the cores remain in the tunnels, and as the runner 13 is moved forwardly the strip 16 pulled from the roll 17 and is folded over the runner. The pouring of the concrete, placing of the reinforcing mesh or rods and completion of the next section of road is then carried on as above described, so that a the road is built step by step.

If a concrete mixer is used at the point where the road is built, it may be employed for pulling the apparatus forwardly with it, and the concrete may be dumped from the mixer over the cores 20 and folded strip 16. If the plastic concrete is brought from a dis tance or central plant, then ramps may be placed over the member 1 to permit the trucks or other carriers to move over the member 1 for dumping the plastic concrete over the cores 20 and folded strip 16. A. tractor or other draft means would be used for pulling the apparatus forwardly as the building of the road progresses, when a tractor concrete mixer is not employed.

The liners 22, when used, will remain in the tunnels and will support the plastic concrete until it has set, although if the concrete sets sufficiently fast the liners 22 may be omitted. The tunnels thus produced will lessen the volume of concrete required, to provide for economy.

Moreover, the tunnels will provide drainage channels for water in order that same may pass off quickly from the sub-base.

The folded strip 16 will separate the concrete at the bottom or along the sub-base, and the reinforcement extends over said strip so as to tie the slabs of concrete together.

An upper joint 24 is formed in the road above the strip 16. The upper longitudinal as well as transverse joints may be produced while the concrete is plastic or may be sawed or otherwise produced in the concrete after it has set. As shown in Fig. 5, a groove is formed in the concrete above the reinforcement 23 and in the line of the strip 16, and is filled with tar, asphaltum or other sealing material. The concrete will break between the strip 16 and joint 2%, as seen in Fig. 5, and the slabs may flex, due to heaving or depression thereof, without appreciably straining the reinforcement 23, in that the lower joint permits the slabs to be depressed, While the upper joint permits the slabs to be raised, such as by the heaving of the sub-base, without imposing injurious tensile strain on the reinforcement 23. This is of advantage over the type of joint shown in Figs 7, 8 and 9, embodying the division plate 30 disposed between the slabs and through. which the tie rods or reinforcement 23m extends.

hen the slabs are depressed, as seen in Fig. 8, they contact to form fulcrums, as at 31, at the lower edge of the plate 30, thereby stretching the reinforcement 23m, and when the slabs return to normal position, as seen in Fig. 9, the joint will be opened, the elongation of the reinforcement 23a; separating the slabs sufficiently sothat water can seep or flow downwardly between the slabs. This objectionable in that the sub-base may be washed away and the road weakened so that it may break down under trafic conditions.

Such conditions are avoided with the presleft in place on the gether.

ent invention in producing upper and lower compressible joint members in the concrete to permit of the upward and downward movements of the slabs relatively to one another without stretching or unduly straining the reinforcement, and the joint will remain closed orsealed.

The apparatus, modified if necessary, may also be used for producing transverse joints or tunnels in the road. The tunnel liners 23 may'alsobe corrugated transversely to enable thinner material to be used.

Tubes 25 are trailed from the arches and some of the teeth 2, withtheir rear terminals in the plastic concrete, to enable reinforcing rods 26 to be inserted rearwardly through said tubes to be embedded in the concrete. As shown, the rods are embedded in the concrete adjacent to the opposite sides of the road and atopposite sides of the longitudinal joint. I v

Fig. 6 illustrates a road with a concrete base constructed in accordance with the present invention, and having a brick surface 25.

There is also shown the use of dowelrods 23a in place of reinforcing mesh. Longitudinal reinforcing rods 26a are also shown embedded in the concrete.

Fig. 10 illustrates a runner or strip 14? with angle irons 15?) secured thereon to provide a slot to receive the lower edge portion of the joint strip 16?), and said runner has a projecting portion 1?) at the forward end for the connection of the draft chain or element 117) for pulling said runner forwardly as the building of the road progresses. The runner 14b is supported by transverse dowel rods 32 which are in turn supported by stakes 33 driven into the sub-base and having aperl tures receiving said rods. The joint strip is thus embedded in the concrete at the upper surface thereof spaced above the sub-base.

A stake 34 may be driven through an aperture in the portion 1?) into the sub-base for 'preventing accidental longitudinal movement of the runner 14b.

A gage 35 may be employed for spacing the joint strip and runner the proper distance from the side form rail 36. V 7

Cap strips 37 are fitted astride or over the upper edge of the joint strip, and have draft means 38 at the forward end for pulling said cap strips forwardly with or independent of the runner 14b, or said cap strips may be joint strip to be removed subsequently. Figures 21 and 22 represent further modification of aligning strips.

The runner 14b is moved forwardly as the building of the road progresses, thereby 1 leaving the joint strip deposited in the concrete.

As shown, dowel rods 39 extend through the joint strip for supporting same in the concrete and to assist in tying the slabs to- The joint strip 166 may be of any suitable flexible orstiff material, and the cap strips 37 are placed over the joint strip to protect same during the pouring and finishing of the I concrete over the sub-base and joint strip.

The cap strips may be moved forwardly as the building of the road progresses, or may be left in place to be pulled out later.

Fig. 11 shows a runner 140 to slide on the sub-base, and havingangle irons or upstanding flanges 150 to receive the joint strip 160 which has dowel rods 390 extending through same, and a cap strip 37 c is placed on the 'oint stri This arran ement is used when containing the roll 176 from which the oint s strip 16@ passes along one side of the plate 156 above the flange 14eto be deposited in the plastic concrete. The housing or case 40 may 3e disposedat any suitable angle or in any desired position, and completely encloses the roll 176 so that the plastic concrete may be dumped over said housing. The housing preferably has a window 41 at the top thereof to enable the roll 170 to be observed, so that a new roll may be inserted when the supply in the: housing is exhausted. The housing40 and plate 156 are pulled forwardly as the building of the'road progresses.

The plate 156 is supported by pedestals 42 secured by stakes 336 on the sub-base, and

said pedestals have apertured ears for supporting the transverse reinforcing rods or dowels 396, and longitudinal reinforcing rods 266 may also be inserted in apertures in said pedestals. The pedestals have slots 44 in which the lower edge portion of the plate 156 moves, for guiding said plate along the line of the joint.

V Fig. 14 illustrates a vertical plate 15f along one side of which the joint strip 16 is disposed, to be embedded in the plastic concrete, and the plate 15 f has a base or runner flange 14; to slide on the dowel rods 32f supported by the stakes 33f. Said plate 15f has its upper edge portion bent back to provide a cap 37f to be disposed over the upper edge of the joint strip. The plate 15; supports and protects the joint strip during the pouring and finishing of the concrete, and is moved forwardly at intervals, leaving the joint strip deposited in the concrete.

. Fig. 15 illustrates the use of a bottom strip 149 on which the joint strip 16gfis is- POESQdyWlllll a cap strip 379 on theupper edge of the joint strip, said strips 149 and having an outstanding flange or 379 have flanges 15g overlapping the joint strip. Dowel rods 39g extend through the joint strip, and stakes 339 are driven into the sub-base to guide the strips 149 and 37g which are pulled forwardly as the building of the road progresses. The strips 14; and 379 may either be drawn forwardly simultaneously or separately.

Fig. 16 illustrates a blade 1572 to move in the plastic concrete at the point of pouring and finishing, and the strip 16% passes from the roll 17h across a guide roller 45 at the forward end of the blade 15h. The strip passes rearwardly across one side of said blade to be deposited in the concrete. The

blade has upstanding shanks 46 for mounting the blade from a carriage, and a mechanically or manually operated finisher 50 moves across the upper edges of the blade 15k and strip 16/2. to finish the surface of the concrete at opposite sides of the joint.

A pair of disks 18h are provided to trail the blade 157i and support the strip in vertical position. Said strips 18h are trailed by links 19h connected to the rear end portion of the blade 15h, and an adjusting link or brace 47 is provided for adjusting the strips 18h upwardly and downwardly. Said brace 47 has a slot 48 receiving a clamping bolt 49 carried by the blade 1572., so that when the bolt 49 is loosened the disks 18h may be raised and lowered with the links 19h. A member 51 secured on the blade 15h extends over the upper edge of the joint strip or material 16k and protects it against the action of the reciprocating float or finisher 50, and said member has a depending flange which holds the strip 16h against the side of the blade.

Figure 17 illustrates the oint strip 162' between the top and bottom of the slab, with the dowel rod 392' extending through said strip. This is the type of oint produced by the device shown in Figure 12.

Figure 18 illustrates the joint strip 16j at the surface with the dowel rod 39j below said strip, which is the type of joint produced by the device shown in Fig. 10. This joint strip 167' may consist of various kinds of material. If premolded or similar types of material is used, it may remain deposited in the concrete. However, removable steel joint plates may be used, which may be later withdrawn from the plastic concrete, leaving an open groove, which may be filled later with any suitable kind of bituminous or asphaltic material to produce a poured joint.

Figure 19 shows the joint strip 16% of a height equal to the thickness of the slab, with the dowel rod 3% extending through said strip. This type of joint is produced by the devices shown in Figures 11 and 15.

Fig. 20 illustrates the oint strip 16% with an offset portion through which the dowel rods 39m extend, to provide a groove joint between the slabs.

The joint strip 16 shown in Fig. 14 may be of composition, fabric, or other flexible material, and has reinforcing wires or cables embedded therein.

The strips 149 and 379 shown in Fig. 15 may be flexible with the joint strip 169 so that the joint may be extended along curved lines.

Fig. 21 illustrates a plate 371% movable on the surface of the plastic concrete and having a pair of depending blades or flanges 1511, between which the joint strip 16% of any suit able material. may pass, to be deposited in the concrete as the plate 371% is drawn forwardly. Said plate in moving on the plastic concrete will limit the depression of the device, and the device may be moved forwardly by any suitable means. The joint strip may be of paper, ribbon steel, or other suitable material. The joint member may also be used without the j oint strip, for producing an open groove.

Fig. 22 illustrates a T-iron or member movable in the plastic concrete, so that the flanges 37p produce a channel 52 while the depending web 15 produces a groove 53. The groove will control the breaking of the concrete, while the channel may be filled with concrete of a different color or other suitable material for producing a traffic line.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A road building apparatus comprising a runner, and means for supplying a folded strip over said runner.

2. A road building apparatus comprising a runner, and means for folding strip over said runner to be embedded in the concrete.

3. A road building apparatus comprising a runner, means for supplying a strip over said runner, and means for folding said strip downwardly on the runner.

4. A road building apparatus comprising means for supplying a joint strip, and means for folding said strip and positioning it with its fold uppermost and its edges lowermost.

5. A road building apparatus comprising a runner having bottom flanges and an upstanding web, and means for folding a strip over said web.

6. A road building apparatus comprising a runner having bottom flanges and an upstanding web, and means for supplying a strip over said web to be folded thereon.

7. A road building apparatus comprising a runner having bottom flanges and an upstanding web, means for supplying a strip over said web, and means for folding said strip down on the web.

8. A road building apparatus comprising tunnel cores movable on the sub-base of a road, and means for pulling said cores forwardly as the building of the road progresses.

9. A road building apparatus comprising tongue and tunnel cores movable on the sub-base of a road under construction, means for pulling said cores forwardly as the building of the road progresses, and tunnel liners adaptedto be positioned on said cores,

10. A road building apparatus comprising a member over which a o'int strip is foldable', and a pair of disks mounted astride said member. 7

11. A road building apparatus comprising a runner having an upstanding portion over which a joint strip is foldable, and a pair of disks mounted for rotation and overlapping said portion.

12. A road building apparatus comprising means for supplying a joint strip, a pair of disks mounted to Work astride said strip, and means to support the strip beneath the disks. f

13. A road building apparatus comprising means for supplying a joint strip, a runner for receiving the joint strip from said means and sliding longitudinally under the joint strip, and means to force the joint strip downwardly upon said runner. v V

14;. A road building apparatus comprising means for supplying a'joint strip, a runner having an upstanding joint strip supporting portion for receiving the joint strip thereon,

and means for pressing the joint strip down-v wardly upon said upstanding portion.

15. A road building apparatus comprising a pair of disks disposed to Work in plastic concrete, and means for supplying a joint strip beneath said disks.

In testimony whereof signature.

' JOHN N. HELTZEL.

I hereunto afi'ix my 

